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McLaren

McLaren 675LT gets limited production run

McLaren 675LT

This is the McLaren 675LT. In basic terms it’s the ‘longtail’ version of the 650S. Aside from the proud heritage of the longtail name to the McLaren brand, in this context longtail means the 675LT is 100kg lighter than the 650S, has more power, is more extreme and is, of course, a bit faster as well.

The 675LT is now on show in Geneva and McLaren announced the production run will be limited to 500 units worldwide.

At 1230kg it has a power to weight ratio of 549PS/tonne. Peak power is 675PS, as the model’s name suggests, and it can reach 100km/h in 2.9 seconds, 200km/h in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 330km/h.

In actual terms “longtail” is apparent in name only. Despite being 34mm longer there are no extensive changes to the car’s dimensions, other than the rear airbrake being 50 per cent larger than found on the 650S.

Where the 675LT does differ, aside from its weight loss, is with extensive changes to the M838TL engine. Around half of its components are different to the 650S. Modifications include more efficient turbos, uprated cylinder heads and manifolds, lightened conrods, a revised camshaft and a faster flowing fuel pump.

In future the longtail name will be used as a marketing device to indicate more extreme models, in much the same was as GT3 is used by other marques.

Full details can be found after the break, including video of the McLaren Automotive press conference from the Geneva Motor Show.

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Formula 1 McLaren

Fernando Alonso to miss Australian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso

McLaren has confirmed Fernando Alonso will miss the Australian Grand Prix as he continues to recover from his testing accident in Barcelona last month.

According to a team statement (available in full after the break) Alonso’s doctors say, “that they see no evidence whatsoever of any injury; and that they therefore describe him as entirely healthy from neurological and cardiac perspectives alike.”

However, as a precautionary measure. “Fernando’s doctors have recommended to him that … for the time being he should seek to limit as far as is possible any environmental risk factors that could potentially result in his sustaining another concussion so soon after his previous one.

“In order to limit those environmental risk factors, specifically, his doctors have advised that he should not compete in the imminent Australian Grand Prix.”

Alonso has recommenced full physical training and is expected to be declared fit to race in time for the Malaysian Grand Prix (27–29 March). His car will be driven by reserve driver Kevin Magnussen in Melbourne.

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Formula 1 McLaren

Fernando Alonso to sit out final Barcelona test

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso has been released from hospital following his testing accident on Sunday and will continue his recovery at his home in Spain.

McLaren has confirmed Alonso will be absent from the final four days of pre-season testing, which start in Barcelona later today. Reserve driver Kevin Magnussen will step into Alonso’s role.

An earlier statement, which can be read in full after the break, said Alonso’s accident was “caused by the unpredictably gusty winds at that part of the circuit [Turn 3] at that time”.

The statement continues: “We can categorically state that there is no evidence that indicates that Fernando’s car suffered mechanical failure of any kind. We can also confirm that absolutely no loss of aerodynamic pressure was recorded, which fact indicates that the car did not suffer any aerodynamic loss, despite the fact that it was subjected to a significant level of g-force. Finally, we can also disclose that no electrical discharge or irregularity of any kind occurred in the car’s ERS system, either before, during or after the incident.”

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Formula 1 McLaren

Fernando Alonso airlifted to hospital

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso crashed his McLaren-Honda MP4-30 during Formula 1 testing in Barcelona overnight. He was taken to the on-course medical centre and where he conscious and speaking to doctors.

He was airlifted to hospital for precautionary scans and despite suffering no serious injury he remained in care overnight.

“Fernando’s accident was just one of those things that happens in testing,” said Eric Boullier, McLaren Racing director. “Fortunately, he’s fine, but was concussed during the accident, which therefore required an overnight stay in hospital as a precaution. That’s normal practice after a concussion.

“Inevitably, some media reports have sought to exaggerate the severity of the incident—it was just a normal testing accident.”

Statements from McLaren can be read below.

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McLaren Motorsports Random wallpapers

1995 McLaren F1 GTR #06R

McLaren F1 GTR

This is the 1995 McLaren F1 GTR, chassis #06R, and it is the inspiration for the livery of the just revealed P1 GTR. Driven by a team of Derek Bell, his son Justin Bell and Andy Wallace car #51 finished third in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans.

McLaren gave us these pics as part of the press release for the P1 GTR and we thought the mighty F1 GTR deserved a post all to itself. So here you are, don’t forget to click on each photo to load its 2560px mega image.

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McLaren

McLaren P1 GTR revealed

McLaren P1 GTR

This is the McLaren P1 GTR and as long as your arse is pointing to the ground you will want one!

The hybrid powertrain of the track-only P1 GTR produces a combined power output of 1000PS (735kW) and has been significantly uprated. Further, unnecessary parts for road use have been removed to help save weight. The 3.8 litre twin turbo V8 offers 800PS (588kW) which is complemented by the 200PS (147kW) electric motor.

To improve the already sublime handling the front track is 80mm wider than the road-going McLaren P1â„¢ and it sits 50mm lower to the ground. The P1 GTR rides on 19″ wheels wrapped in super sticky Pirelli tyres.

Silverstone and the Circuit de Catalunya are the first two locations named for the driver program where, thanks to your extremely fat wallet—it’ll cost around US$3 million—you’ll get to see what it’s like to be Pastor Maldonado and get treated like a racing driver. But, please, whatever you do, don’t bin your P1 GTR.

The P1 GTR will make its full debut at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

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Formula 1 Honda McLaren

2015 McLaren MP4-30 revealed

2015 McLaren-Honda MP4-30

McLaren luanched its 2015 Formula 1 car overnight, the MP4-30. The biggest development, of course, is the use of the Honda RA615H Hybrid power unit.

McLaren-Honda, there’s a lot of great memories in those two names. Cigarette sponsorship gave those cars from the late 1980s and early 1990s an evocative red and white livery. The marketing spin says the 2015 livery is an “evolved colour scheme that firmly contextualises McLaren’s brand in the 21st century.”

We don’t like it at all.

McLaren had a great opportunity to really leverage of the enormous goodwill from its first partnership with Honda by creating a new and unique livery that not only looked great but also stood out on the grid.

Instead we get this bland half-arsed attempt to blend two looks that was never going to work.

Thankfully, the car itself looks okay, and that horrible nose from the MP4-29 has been removed. Fingers crossed for McLaren, for Honda and for everyone in Formula 1 that the MP4-30 has a great year ahead.

It’s great to have Honda back!

The other big move for McLaren is the return of Fernando Alonso. His first stint with the team was a bit of a disaster in terms of fitting in with the team’s strong personalities. Alonso is a damn good driver, let’s see if he’s a truly great driver.

Waiting for you after the break is a number of videos, more photos of the new car and a couple of press releases for you to download.

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Formula 1 McLaren Video

Jenson and Fernando ham it up

Back to the racetrack

Someone at McLaren has forced Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso to play it up on camera for a pre-season promo. At least we hope they were forced to take part in this Back to the Future spoof.

It’s a bit of harmless fun, of course, and let’s hope the McLaren-Honda partnership is more than a nostalgic memory. Also worth noting the black and silver clothing worn by the leading men.

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Formula 1 Honda McLaren Video

It’s time to make history

We’re about to see a whole bunch of reveals from F1 teams as they get ready for the opening pre-season test at Jerez on 1 February. McLaren-Honda will reveal their new car on 29 January and have started to pull at the heart strings with this promo.

And, yes, a retro-imspired red and white delivery would be the duck’s guts!

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

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McLaren

McLaren P1 GTR to debut at Geneva

McLaren P1 GTR in testing

McLaren has announced its track-focused P1 GTR will debut at the Geneva Motor Show (5–15 March).

Development of the extreme model has been continuing at racetracks in Europe and the Middle East. Production will start later this year and in the next few weeks buyers will be invited in to commence their P1 GTR Driver Programme experience.

No final specs have been revealed at this stage, however McLaren promises the P1 GTR will boast a power to weight ratio in excess of 700PS (514kW) per tonne. That represents a power increase of more than 10% compared with the standard P1. Of course, the GTR will be so much more than a more powerful P1, with the benefits of a track-only life ensuring its handling will have few compromises.

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Caterham Formula 1 McLaren Mercedes-Benz Video

2014 Hungarian GP four-car quali comparison

2014 Hunagrian Grand Prix qualifying

If you’re missing Formula 1 action during the off season here’s video from the Hungarian Grand Prix that will allow you to cram in four times the action in one go.

Starting from top right and moving in a clockwise direction we’ve got Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Sergio Perez and Marcus Ericsson. The footage was filmed during qualifying and it’s no surprise to see who was fastest.

[via WTF1]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2015 Formula 1 car concept drawings

Williams FW37 by Bruce Thomson

Bruce Thomson is an all round good guy. We know this because he hits our inbox from time to time with some seriously cool automotive drawings. Over the last few days he’s been sharing with the world a few illustrations showing how he would like the F1 cars of 2015 to look.

So far he’s given us the Ferrari F15, McLaren MP4-30, the Mercedes AMG W06 and the Red Bull Racing RB11.

If you follow those links then you’ll be treated to much larger versions of these images where you can further appreciate the detail.

Even better, there’s the promise of a Lotus and Williams concept to follow. Keep up the great work Bruce!

UPDATE 11 January: Now with Williams FW37 and Lotus E23 concepts.